The reborn of Lebanese Agriculture ?

We are still far away from the level of the sixties when Lebanese agriculture represented almost 30% of the country GDP. Today, this indice has dramatically fallen below 5%. The drawback is mainly due to the high cost of production, the lack of subsidized financing, a poor marketing and distribution strategies, lack of long term vision and government policy. Many business farms and projects came to nothing and their promoters had to stop and shift to a more lucrative business.

However today, the sector is witnessing a timid but steady reboost of activity. Situation is getting better in terms of volumes and quality, thanks to a new wave of discerning, enlightened farmers and businessmen.

Agriculture today represents around 2.1 billion dollars showing an increase of 11% between years 2012 and 2013. Potato agriculture alone has increased by 79% between the year 2009 and 2013. Aviculture (eggs, white meat) still represents a genuine success story among Lebanese agriculture whereas fishing remains the poor relation and left behind of agriculture despite 200 kms of sea coast. Fishing does not represent more than 50% of the local market needs. Much remains to be done to achieve satisfactory results. The country relies heavily on the new generation of farmers and businessmen of good sense and enlightened.